Air compressor run hours

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Just looking over some air compressor posts here and thought I would mention how I schedule the oil changes on my IR compressor.  When I installed the unit I incorporated an hour meter on it and wired it to the secondary side of the motor contactor/starter.  I think the meter (240 volt) cost about $28.00 plus an electric box to house it in for about $2.00. These are 2K7 prices. Mounted close to the compressor and easily read.  When the motor comes on/off the meter starts/stops.  This eliminates the guess work of servicing the unit.  You would be surprised how many hours your unit runs.  Some food for thought!  Bob
Reply:Go Idea, Some Of The Units We Sell Have Meters In Starters
Reply:I did the same for my Kobalt 80 gallon.  I wired in a meter on the motor side of the pressure switch.  I mounted the meter in a piece of aluminum flat bar.  Drilled a hole in it and used one of the motor bolts to hold it right next to the on/off switch.  I also hung a standard note pad placed in a document protector off of the side with a ziptie.  I write down all maintenance, hours, parts/price/store.  Very easy to keep track of everything this way.  No second guessing hour usage.
Reply:I've just serviced mine by date in the past, but I have absolutely no idea of run time.  Good idea.
Reply:You can also run a 110v meter by hooking to one leg of the motorside of the start switch and the other wire to the nuetral/ground.                                  MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I have had mine for 13 years it came from local Tractor supply. It runs probably on average 1-1.5 hours a day 4-6 days a week. More while sand blasting.I have changed oil once and replaced the air filter once.The stupid part is that at my real job I am maintenance supervisor and responsible for all preventative maintenance, and dang good at it. BUT my own stuff is sorely lacking.Tim Beeker.
Reply:There was a thread some years ago about when to change the oil in your compressor.  It seems like 50 hours was agreed upon.About that time I bought a 80 gal compressor.  I had no idea how many hours I put on one, but I thought not too many.  I added an hour meter to keep tabs on when I should change the oil.About 5 years later I'm up to almost 17 hours.  I guess I don't use as much air as I thought, but when I want it, it's there.